Hollyoaks actress Scarlett Bowman has revealed that she has received great feedback from viewers in response to her character's bullying storyline.

The 26-year-old - who plays teen bully Maddie Morrison in the soap - said that people have been in contact and told her that the scenes have highlighted the importance of tackling the issue in schools.

"I've received tweets from people watching it saying it's bringing back memories of things that happened at school," she told MSN.

"I don't think some people realise this stuff does go on. Hopefully not to the extent that we've been playing on screen, because it's going to get a lot worse.

"It's such a meaty, interesting and exciting role to play but [Maddie] is one nasty piece of work, I have to say."

Bowman revealed that she had not been bullied herself, but had experienced isolated incidents where she felt she had been picked on.

"I did have one horrible experience, I think everyone does," she said. "I remember starting a new school halfway through my education and I absolutely hated it for the first two years."

She added: "I think girls are nasty, they can be really bitchy. I don't think guys have that bitchy streak in them so much. Girls are more manipulative - it's an evil world."

Next week, viewers will see Maddie and her fellow minibus passengers crash into the building where Cindy Cunningham and Tony Hutchinson are getting married. The explosive consequences of the accident have been described as some of the biggest scenes the soap has ever seen, with multiple characters' lives in danger.

The Hollyoaks crash drama begins to unfold on Monday at 6.30pm on Channel 4.